52. So then, I say that the time is coming when I will deal with Babylon's idols, and the wounded will groan throughout the country.
53. Even if Babylon could climb to the sky and build a strong fortress there, I would still send people to destroy it. I, the Lord, have spoken.”
54. The Lord says,“Listen to the sound of crying in Babylon,of mourning for the destruction in the land.
55. I am destroying Babylonand putting it to silence.The armies rush in like roaring wavesand attack with noisy shouts.
56. They have come to destroy Babylon;its soldiers are captured,and their bows are broken.I am a God who punishes evil,and I will treat Babylon as it deserves.
57. I will make its rulers drunk —men of wisdom, leaders, and soldiers.They will go to sleep and never wake up.I, the king, have spoken,I am the Lord Almighty.
58. The walls of mighty Babylon will be thrown to the ground,and its towering gates burnt down.The work of the nations is all for nothing;their efforts go up in flames.I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken.”
59. King Zedekiah's personal attendant was Seraiah, the son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. In the fourth year that Zedekiah was king of Judah, Seraiah was going to Babylonia with him, and I gave him some instructions.